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Residents of Khonsai Village, Tambon Tad Thong, Yasothon Province, experienced a sleepless night on February 4th, 2024. News reports revealed that villagers in Khonsai were on edge, alternating between sleep and wakefulness due to the fear of a potential electrical fire originating from power poles within the community. The tops or ends of the power poles were entangled with a mess of cables, creating a hazardous situation, reported Siam Rath. Not only were the cables intertwined, but birds had also constructed nests using debris and grass, adding to the concern. The combination of bird nests and bundled cables posed a significant fire risk. While such a fire might serve as an excellent ignition source, the critical issue was its proximity to residential homes. Residents worried about potential house fires if an electrical short circuit were to occur while they were away at work or engaged in other activities. News outlets reported that villagers had notified the local administrative organization (TAO) and the power company about the situation, but no corrective action had been taken. The Tambon Tad Thong municipality acknowledged the issue but claimed it was beyond their jurisdiction, as the responsibility lies with the provincial power authority. As of now, no repairs have been made, leaving villagers anxious about the looming threat of a fire outbreak. They can only hope for a resolution before the situation escalates further, remaining vigilant as they navigate their alternating sleep-wake routine. Picture: Siam Rath -- ASEAN NOW 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Police Crack Down on Drug Trafficking in Northeast Thailand By Kittisak Phalaharn On February 3rd, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4, and relevant officials held a press conference at Kalasin Provincial Police Headquarters about the “No Place for Drugs” operation to eradicate drug trafficking networks in the northeast region of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318980-thai-police-crack-down-on-drug-trafficking-in-northeast-thailand/

On February 3rd, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4, and relevant officials held a press conference at Kalasin Provincial Police Headquarters about the “No Place for Drugs” operation to eradicate drug trafficking networks in the northeast region of Thailand. The “No Place for Drugs” operation was first deployed in December of 2023, involving 252 police stations under Provincial Police Region 4 supervision. Upon police investigation, more than 381 individuals were found involved in drug trafficking networks in northeast Thailand, stated Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayut. As a result, the police were able to track down 309 individuals and seize 1,418,412 pills of amphetamine and 600 grams of methamphetamine, with a total value of 171.6 million baht, according to Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayut. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Fire Breaks Out at Ministry of Agriculture Building in Bangkok By Kittisak Phalaharn At 7:20 PM, on February 3rd, 2024, Capt. Thamanat Prompow, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, rushed to the Ministry of Agriculture building, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, after receiving a fire report on the second floor of the building. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318979-fire-breaks-out-at-ministry-of-agriculture-building-in-bangkok/

At 7:20 PM, on February 3rd, 2024, Capt. Thamanat Prompow, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, rushed to the Ministry of Agriculture building, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, after receiving a fire report on the second floor of the building. Capt. Thamanat publicly revealed that the fire caused damage to an office zone and the working group of Mr. Chaiya Phromma, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Regarding the fire incident, Capt. Thamanat asserted that it was not from old electric wires as they were replaced with new ones recently. According to Thai national media, there was one meeting table, ten chairs, and other documents inside the office. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Sixteen Gamblers Arrested in Thalang By Goongnang Suksawat Sixteen gamblers were arrested at a local gambling den in the Thalang district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318978-sixteen-gamblers-arrested-in-thalang/

Sixteen gamblers were arrested at a local gambling den in the Thalang district. A team from the Region 8 Police and the Thalang Police raided a local gambling den at a house in the Pa Klok sub-district on Friday night (February 2nd). Sixteen local gamblers were arrested with many local gambling items (called shrimp fish in local dialects). Seized from the group were gambling items and 18,510 baht in cash. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

2nd phase of “30-Baht Plus” medical scheme to launch in March The Public Health Ministry is ready to launch the second phase of the “30-Baht Plus” free health service scheme in March, in Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sing Buri, Sa Kaeo and Phang-nga provinces. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318976-2nd-phase-of-“30-baht-plus”-medical-scheme-to-launch-in-march/

The Public Health Ministry is ready to launch the second phase of the “30-Baht Plus” free health service scheme in March, in Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sing Buri, Sa Kaeo and Phang-nga provinces. Speaking at the end of a workshop to assess the first phase of the scheme, launched in Phrae, Phetchaburi, Roi-et and Narathiwat provinces on January 7th, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said that the medical services provided have not increased the burden on medical staff to the extent that it has affected their morale. Instead, he said that the services, under which patients need to show only their ID cards to get access to medical care, were positively received by the public, enabling more convenient access to medical services. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Motorcyclist Loses Life in Hit and Run Accident By Aim Tanakorn A Thai man tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya on the night of February 3rd, 2024. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318975-pattaya-motorcyclist-loses-life-in-hit-and-run-accident/

A Thai man tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya on the night of February 3rd, 2024. The incident occurred around 11:46 PM. According to the Pattaya Police Station’s Deputy Superintendent for Investigation, Pol. Capt. Sanan Khotanont, a Kawasaki ER-6N 650cc motorcycle lost control while traveling on Sukhumvit Road near Soi Sukhumvit 87. The bike skidded for over 100 meters before coming to a rest on the roadside. The rider, an unidentified Thai male believed to be between 25 and 35 years old, sustained fatal injuries despite the prompt response of emergency services. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Navy Shelves Project To Salvage Sunken Corvette Sukhothai By Thai Newsroom Reporters HTMS Sukhothai that sank in the Gulf of Thailand on Dec. 18, 2022. Photo: Sanook.com THE NAVY HAS PUT an open bidding on hold for the planned retrieval of the sunken navy corvette HTMS Sukhothai (FSG-442) from under the sea off Prachuap Khiri Khan for the time being. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318974-navy-shelves-project-to-salvage-sunken-corvette-sukhothai/

THE NAVY HAS PUT an open bidding on hold for the planned retrieval of the sunken navy corvette HTMS Sukhothai (FSG-442) from under the sea off Prachuap Khiri Khan for the time being. The navy had earlier held the bidding twice for a private firm, either Thai or foreign, to retrieve the sunken navy ship from under the sea off the western coastal province, given a sum of 200 million baht in funding, but no private bidder has yet been awarded the project due to failure to meet qualification specs, according to Naval Fleet Commander Adm.Chartchai Thongsaard. Attending the open bidding on the undersea retrieval project were United State, Chinese and Thai firms, none of which has passed the navy’s qualification specs as yet. The Naval Fleet commander did not comment on how soon a third bidding may be held among the interested parties. Meanwhile, the US Navy plans to join the Thai navy in a light salvage mission to retrieve some weapon systems and equipment aboard the US-built vessel which capsized and sank under the stormy sea in Dec., 2022. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: HTMS Sukhothai that sank in the Gulf of Thailand on Dec. 18, 2022. Photo: Sanook.com Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Hotels See High Occupancy Ahead of Chinese New Year By Aim Tanakorn Land and House Plc (LH) reported high occupancy rates at its Grand Center Point hotels in both Bangkok and Pattaya ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year festive period, according to Mr. Wit Tantivorawong, managing director for support division for LH. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318971-pattaya-hotels-see-high-occupancy-ahead-of-chinese-new-year/

Land and House Plc (LH) reported high occupancy rates at its Grand Center Point hotels in both Bangkok and Pattaya ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year festive period, according to Mr. Wit Tantivorawong, managing director for support division for LH. Mr. Wit stated that room reservations at LH hotels reached 80-90% ahead of the Chinese New Year, which will run from February 7th-15th. He highlighted a notable rise in independent Chinese travelers, particularly in Pattaya. The festival also attracted a diverse mix of tourists, with 40-50% being Thai and the remainder comprising various nationalities, including Chinese, Malaysians, Indians, and Europeans. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

PM Discusses Visas for Bordering Countries, Aiming to Establish Thailand as Tourism Hub By Kittisak Phalaharn On February 3rd, 2024, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, publicly revealed after a discussion with Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Minister of Tourism and Sport, regarding a discussion about CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam) visas as well as Malaysia, aiming to have Thailand as a major tourism hub. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318969-pm-discusses-visas-for-bordering-countries-aiming-to-establish-thailand-as-tourism-hub/

On February 3rd, 2024, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, publicly revealed after a discussion with Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Minister of Tourism and Sport, regarding a discussion about CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam) visas as well as Malaysia, aiming to have Thailand as a major tourism hub. After a Ministerial meeting with the Lao PDR, Sudawan publicly revealed that discussions were underway for regional tourism collaboration, particularly involving CLMV and Malaysia. The discussions were not concluded yet as regional collaboration needed mutual agreement and equal benefits, stated Sudawan. CLMV plus Malaysia visas aimed to exempt visas while traveling through Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Malaysia while holding only a Thai visa like a Schengen visa in Europe, remarked Sudawan. However, Gen. Hun Manet, the Cambodia Prime Minister, is scheduled to officially visit Thailand on February 7, to discuss the issues regarding the proposed CLMV visa. Srettha underscored the mutual benefits for participating countries, highlighting the robust airline industries of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, having Thailand as an aerial center to distribute incoming tourists across the region. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

256 Cases So Far Filed Against Stonewalling Loan Sharks By Thai Newsroom Reporters Representative images of illicit money lending. Photo: Thai Rath A TOTAL OF 256 lawsuits have been so far filed on charges of illicit lending business against loan sharks who have allegedly stonewalled on debt settlement bids, according to a senior government official. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318968-256-cases-so-far-filed-against-stonewalling-loan-sharks/

A TOTAL OF 256 lawsuits have been so far filed on charges of illicit lending business against loan sharks who have allegedly stonewalled on debt settlement bids, according to a senior government official. Those informal money lenders have allegedly stonewalled or even failed to attend compromise-based negotiations to settle the illicit debt arranged between themselves and their indebted people with government officials acting as mediators, prompting the authorities to proceed with 256 cases in court, said Interior Ministry Undersecretary Sutthipong Chulcharoen. The authorities-mediated negotiations have so far succeeded in settling a combined 635 million baht in illicit debt borne by 11,149 among a total of over 18,000 debtors who had so far attended the debt settlement process, the undersecretary said. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: Representative images of illicit money lending. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Was elephant pant wearing record bid cause of fashion panel resignation? A plan, conceived by the Tourism of Thailand (TAT), to set five Guinness world records, including wearing the most pairs of elephant pants in sixty seconds, expected to take place at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok from February 21st-27th, may have prompted the resignation of all 24 members of Thailand’s soft power fashion panel on February 1st. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318967-was-elephant-pant-wearing-record-bid-cause-of-fashion-panel-resignation/

A plan, conceived by the Tourism of Thailand (TAT), to set five Guinness world records, including wearing the most pairs of elephant pants in sixty seconds, expected to take place at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok from February 21st-27th, may have prompted the resignation of all 24 members of Thailand’s soft power fashion panel on February 1st. The other four events are punching the most balloons wearingboxing gloves in one minute; eating the most deep-fried dough sticks in one minute; wearing the most Phi Ta Khon face masks in one minute and eating the most popcorn in one minute. The public have been invited to participate. In the resignation letter to the chairman of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, Kamonnart Ongwandee, chair of the fashion subcommittee, only said that the panel had already achieved their assignment, which was to lay the foundation for the promotion of Thai fashion as an element of the country’s soft power. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Japanese firms urge Thai government to simplify customs and boost infrastructure by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of iStock Japanese businesses based in Thailand have urged the government to simplify customs duty rules and enhance transport infrastructure, in addition to introducing economic strategies to increase public spending. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318966-japanese-firms-urge-thai-government-to-simplify-customs-and-boost-infrastructure/

Japanese businesses based in Thailand have urged the government to simplify customs duty rules and enhance transport infrastructure, in addition to introducing economic strategies to increase public spending. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC) in Bangkok recently communicated with the press to share insights from its newest survey assessing the business outlook amongst Japanese firms and investors in Thailand. The survey has been conducted twice yearly for the past 53 years to gauge the business environment for Japanese companies in Thailand. The latest iteration, representing the latter half of 2023, concluded on the 20th of December. Of the 1,646 company members of JCC Bangkok, 539 participated in the survey. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of iStock Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

US deploys over 4,000 for Cobra Gold 2024 military drills in Thailand by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Exercise Headquarters of Cobra Gold 2023 A deployment of over 4,000 personnel aboard the USS Somerset and USS Miguel Keith is on the horizon for the upcoming Cobra Gold 2024, a joint military exercise taking place in Thailand from February 26 to March 8. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318965-us-deploys-over-4000-for-cobra-gold-2024-military-drills-in-thailand/

A deployment of over 4,000 personnel aboard the USS Somerset and USS Miguel Keith is on the horizon for the upcoming Cobra Gold 2024, a joint military exercise taking place in Thailand from February 26 to March 8. The American soldiers form a significant part of the 9,590-strong contingent from 30 nations participating in these annual drills. The announcement came from General Thitichai Tiantong, Chief of Joint Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, during an event briefing. The USS Somerset, a San Antonio-class transport dock, and the USS Miguel Keith, a Lewis B Puller-class mobile base, exemplify the US Navy’s advanced capabilities. The focus for the United States this year is primarily on amphibious drills, as disclosed by Colonel Kurtis A Leffler, Chief of the Joint US Military Advisory Group Thailand. An intriguing aspect of Cobra Gold this year involves the Thai and US navies cooperating to salvage the wreckage of HTMS Sukhothai. by Mitch Connor Top Photo courtesy of Exercise Headquarters of Cobra Gold 2023 Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe